Clicking noise when braking: You rely on your brakes every time you step behind the wheel of your automobile, from approaching a stop sign to responding when another car unexpectedly slips into your lane. One of the most crucial safety systems in your car, your brakes need to be in top functioning condition at all times – your safety and the safety of your passengers is at stake. As you drive, take time to be aware of your brakes and how they are performing. If you see any of the warning signals indicated below, take your automobile immediately to your trusted technician for an evaluation.
Clicking Noise when Braking – Reasons
When you press the brakes, do you hear a strange clicking noise from your car? Here’s what’s causing the noise and how to stop it!
If you hear a clicking noise during braking, it might mean that parts of the brake or suspension system are loose or worn. These are some of them:
| Top Causes of Clicking Noise when Braking |
|---|
| Anti-rattle springs that are rusted. |
| Brake shims that have become worn. |
| Brake pads that are worn out. |
| Calipers that are worn out. |
| Worn front-end components |
Also Read: Back Brakes Squeaking When Reversing [SOLVED!]
1. Anti-rattle springs that are rusted.
Anti-rattle springs hold the brake pad in place and prevent vibrations and noise when the brakes are used. Anti-rattle springs, being constructed of metal, may deteriorate with time as a result of heating and cooling cycles, and may even rust in humid climates.
The brake pad will start moving and creating the click noise you hear when you touch the brake pedal if the springs or anti-rattle clips become weak. Additionally, your brake pads will begin to wear unevenly, perhaps leading to premature rotor damage.
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2. Brake shims that have worn out.
When your automobile is breaking, brake shims work as an insulator, reducing the amount of noise and vibration generated by the brake pads. Brake shims also serve as a thermal barrier, reducing harm to your brake pads when they become too hot.
As the brake shims wear down, they may become weaker, allowing your pads to make a variety of noises.
3. Bad brake pad installation.
If the clicking sound began after you replaced your brake pads, you may have put them improperly. Unfortunately, some inexperienced mechanics forget to stake down the pads while working.
When you press the brakes, the pads shift as a result of this. It’s not a hazard, and it doesn’t make driving your automobile dangerous. However, the noise your brakes generate when you apply them may become bothersome.
If the problem isn’t solved, the braking noise will simply increase louder and more frequent.
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4. Bad Calipers
Your calipers may begin to rust after a few years of driving in damp circumstances. Even though there are abutment clips on top, rust can cause the brake pads to bind if not addressed.
If the caliper gets loose, it may make a clicking noise. Bolts and guide pins keep them in place and maintain them tight. Because of rust, those bolts or guide pins may become weak, allowing the caliper to move about.
5. Suspension components that have deteriorated.
It’s conceivable that the noise is coming from the suspension, and it’s a result of weight shifting during braking, which is strange.
When utilizing the brakes, worn suspension components might cause a clicking noise.
• Rusted sway bar linkages
• Rusted ball joints
• Rusted struts
A sway bar
A sway bar, also known as an anti-roll bar, is a component of your vehicle’s suspension that helps to reduce body lean when turning or stopping.
When braking, worn sway bar links can generate clicking noises when the car’s weight shifts.
Ball Joints
Ball joints link and allow separate joints to move as part of your car’s front suspension. They connect the steering knuckle to the control arms, which allows your car to steer.
Worn ball joints will cause your steering to be less accurate, as well as vibrations and sounds via the steering wheel.
Struts
Struts support your vehicle by reducing vibrations caused by bumps or potholes and allowing the vehicle to steer when you turn the steering wheel.
When one of your struts begins to break, it might generate clicking noises when you use the brakes, albeit this is uncommon.
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What’s the best way to get rid of a clicking noise when braking?
Fixing a clicking brake noise might be simple and inexpensive, but it can also be complicated and costly. Unless you can do it yourself, replacing your anti-rattle springs will cost you roughly $10 in components and $30 in labor.
Replace old brake shims for about the same price as new anti-rattle springs, however I recommend obtaining a new set of brake pads as well. The cheapest brake pads usually come with low-quality shims that become loud over time. I advocate investing in higher-priced pads because they are of higher quality.
If your brake pads were placed incorrectly, you can take your automobile to a different technician and have them reinstalled properly.
Calipers that have corroded can be removed and cleaned carefully with a metal brush. If you need to replace any of the bolts or pin guides, it will cost you roughly $10 plus labor, which can cost up to $50 per caliper.
The cost of repairing worn suspension parts will rise, starting at $150 for a ball joint or sway bar and rising to $700 or more for a broken strut.
However maintaining or changing anti-rattle springs seems to be a do-it-yourself activity, any broken suspension components should be replaced by a professional.
Is it safe to drive my car makes clicking noise when braking?
Driving the car will not be a safety hazard if you can identify the clicking noise as being caused by rusted anti-rattle springs or brake pads.
If the noise is caused by worn suspension components, however, I recommend having the problem looked at and fixed as soon as possible. Driving with a broken suspension makes your car less controllable, putting other road users in danger.
Further Conditions that make clicking noise when braking
What else could cause clicking in the front end when turning besides a bad CV joint?
• Brake Pads that are loose.
• Brake calipers that are loose.
• Bending of the brake backing plates.
• A wheel that is loose or cracked.
• A Rock Caught Between the Brake Caliper and the Wheel
• Hub Caps that are loose.
(To find out how much any repair should cost, use a Repair Estimator)
Brake Pads Are Loose.
The brake pads are designed to be securely linked to the brake caliper seat due to their construction. If they become loose, the brake pad is allowed to jump up and down when applied. This motion makes a clicking sound while driving slowly or braking when driving slowly.
Brake calipers are loose.
Bolts and guide pins that fit firmly through bushings secure brake calipers to their seats. This design keeps the caliper properly suspended, allowing the brake pads to make contact with the rotor and bring the vehicle to a complete stop when applied. A sliding caliper will bounce around on the wheel, making a clicking sound.
Backing Plates for Bent Brakes
Each brake has a backing plate attached to the rear. This plate shields the brake from road debris and protects it from projectile damage. The plate will rub against the rotor or caliper if it is bent inward, causing a clicking sound.
A Wheel that is loose or cracked.
The lug nuts on a wheel that are loose will click, rub, or grind. A crack in a wheel will cause it to click. Steel wheels are more prone to this.
A rock lies between the wheel and the braking caliper.
A rock can click or grind if it becomes lodged between the wheel and the brake caliper.
Hub Caps that are loose.
When the wheel bends as it moves, a loose hubcap will click at lower speeds.
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Is driving my car safe if it produces a clicking noise when braking?
Driving the automobile will not be a safety threat if you can determine that the clicking noise is caused by rusted anti-rattle springs or brake pads.
If the noise is caused by worn suspension components, however, I recommend getting the problem checked out and rectified as soon as feasible. Your automobile will be less manageable if your suspension is damaged, putting other road users in risk.
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Simple Maintenance Techniques to Keep Your Brakes in Good Working Order
Before picking which new brakes to install on your automobile, you should measure the thickness of your existing ones. If you have more than 0.12 inches of pad remaining, you can safely wait until your brakes need to be replaced completely. On the other hand, if your brake pads have less than 0.12 inches of pad material left, it’s time to replace them.
The following is a brake service checklist:
• Inspect the brake fluid level.
• Check for damage or leaks in hoses and lines.
• Check the brakes for appropriate operation.
• Determine the thickness of the brake pads.
• Look for damage, warping, or cracks in the discs.
• Check for leaks and sticking in calipers and drums.
• Check for leaks in the master cylinder and vacuum assist booster.
• Make that the brake pad wear sensor is working.
• Check for leaks, sticking, or damaged pistons in the wheel cylinders.
Check the level and quality of your braking fluid whenever you change your oil or get your automobile serviced, whichever occurs first. Low levels might signal a system breach that has to be fixed right away.
Related: Noise when Braking at Low Speed [100% Fix]
Often Asked Questions on clicking noise when braking
Q) Is it necessary to change my brake fluid on a regular basis?
A: If you’re not sure how often to change it, go for the handbook of instructions for your exact make and model on this page. Brake fluid, on the other hand, should be replaced every two years or 24,000 miles.
Q) Why does my automobile create a clicking noise whenever I slow down?
A: First, it might be a wheel bearing that has been worn out. Second, it can be a warped braking rotor or a warning that brake pads are worn out and need to be changed.
Q) What would a loose brake caliper might seem like?
A: You can hear a tiny squeak when the brake pads brush against the rotor (the spherical section of the wheel) (the round part of your wheel).
Q) Why does the front end of my car is having a clicking noise?
A: Cracking and clicking sounds may also seem to emanate from either or both of the drive wheels. Generally, this form of popping will cease once you start to drive straight again. The noise most likely suggests that you do have a faulty constant velocity, or CV, joint at front axle.
Q) How costly is a CV joint maintenance?
A: Depending on the car and labor costs, a CV joint replacement can cost anywhere from $150 to $850. The cost of a CV joint replacement is between $50 and $150, while the cost of labor is between $100 and $700. If you need to replace your car’s CV joint, a number of factors will impact your overall budget.
Conclusion.
If the clicking sounds when braking is followed by a vibration in the brake pedal while driving, it might indicate a problem with the vehicle’s front or rear brakes. It might also be a sign of damaged rotors on the wheels or issues with the ABS braking system, such as air bubbles in the fluid lines.
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